Bexley council has confirmed the sell-off of Old Farm Park. 

The hugely important decision was announced at a council meeting on March 15 and is expected to be concluded at a final meeting in April.

Its sale will mark the first of 26 parks being eyed up by the council for development. 

Member of the Save Old Farm Park group and resident Malcolm Wright, 43, of Old Farm Avenue said: “This really does affect the local community.

“The council could have handled this far far better with the local community. 

“If you start to dig into the detail, you can highlight where the council has not been properly communicating.

“I don’t think council can actually say they have actually worked with the community here. 

“The consultation could have been far better advertised than it was. 

“We have to continue fighting until the final decision and depending on the outcome of that we will need to look at what our next action will be.”

On the issue of limited communication surrounding Old Farm Park the council argues that its methods were in accordance with statute. 

The park was originally one of 27 open spaces earmarked to reduce an estimated £34m funding gap over three years.

Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Environment and Leisure, Peter Craske, said: "The budget for looking after the borough's parks, open spaces, playgrounds, cemeteries and grass verges has already been reduced by 47 per cent.
 
"We are working hard to avoid further cuts - which risks irreparable damage to many of those sites - by seeking to dispose of only 2 hectares out of the 621 hectares the council maintains for all residents to enjoy.
 
"As agreed in the 2015 budget, the sales will generate the funds needed to ensure Bexley continues to have some of the greatest parks and well equipped and popular playgrounds in London for many, many years to come."

Let us know what you think of the decision by emailing james.parsons@london.newsquest.co.uk or tweeting @Jame5Parsons

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